The Dolphins prepare to kick off their NRL season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, March 10 at 3:05 p.m. Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich sheds light on the team’s lineup choices for the highly anticipated matchup.
Tesi Niu lost 8 kilograms during his impressive pre-season. Photo Credit: The Dolphins
Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich provides insights into the selections and omissions for Sunday’s clash against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Bromwich praises Tesi Niu’s determination and impressive pre-season efforts, which have earned him a place in the starting side. “He’s impressed not only the coaching staff but all the players as well – the determination to get those things done,” Bromwich says.
Kodi Nikorima’s utility and consistent performances last season have secured his spot, according to the captain. “He fixed a lot of positions for us last year and he’s another one… he’s had a really good pre-season.”
Bromwich also commends Nikorima’s leadership qualities, noting his willingness to share his knowledge with younger players.
Max Plath’s versatility and exceptional work ethic during the pre-season have earned him a place in Bennett’s side. Bromwich likens Plath’s style of play to Tom Gilbert, praising his energetic approach and ability to link the backs and forwards.
Sights set on another strong start
Bromwich, who plans to retire at the end of the season, has never lost a round one game in his NRL career. The skipper is is keen to maintain that record against the Cowboys.
He expects a similar level never-give-up attitude from the team that propelled them to a strong inaugural season.
The Dolphins captain is also looking forward to the continued support from the fans, recalling the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the stands last season.
Amid fierce competition, Tom Lynagh earns a start at the No.10 position as the Queensland Reds announce their starting lineup for their highly anticipated Round 1 match against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Here’s how the team will lineup against the Waratahs. Photo Credit: Instagram/Queensland Reds
Head coach Les Kiss has named nine players with Wallabies experience in the starting lineup, including co-captains Tate McDermott and Liam Wright.
Twenty-year-old Tom Lynagh has been given the nod to start at flyhalf ahead of Saturday’s clash. Lynagh gained valuable Super Rugby experience last season and will look to use that in steering the Reds around the park.
“I’ve got good options at No.10 and this week it is Tom Lynagh’s opportunity.”
Three potential debutants named on bench
Three players are in line to make their Super Rugby Pacific debuts if called upon from the bench – flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, backrower John Bryant and Irish lock Cormac Daly.
McLaughlin-Phillips and Bryant are Queensland juniors who earned their first Reds caps against Japan last year. Daly joined the Reds from Sydney club Randwick and previously represented Ireland Under-20s.
Queensland v NSW, a classic rivalry
Saturday’s match reignites one of rugby’s great rivalries between the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs. Both sides will be eager to start their Super Rugby Pacific campaigns with a win.
According to Coach Kiss, Reds versus Waratahs matches bring out the best in the rivalry between the states. The Reds have won the past three games against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium and will look to continue that streak.
Did you know that long before Pink became a singer-songwriter and attained pop music icon status as the first non-British to have won the 2019 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, she was at various times in her life a skateboarder, hip-hopper, and gymnast? The colourful, multi-faceted artist is currently in Brisbane to perform a series of electrifying performances before packed crowds at the Suncorp Stadium.
The superstar, aged 44, is expected to mesmerise around 40,000 fans with her two-hour shows on Friday and Saturday, 16 and 17 February 2024. She will return at the Suncorp Stadium on 19 March 2024 for the final leg of her tour in Australia.
The shows this February weekend in Milton are expected to commence at 8:30 p.m., with the opening act by Tones and I.
Pink’s last visit to Brisbane was in 2018 as part of her “Beautiful Trauma” World Tour, making this concert a long-awaited event for her loyal Australian fans. Joined by her husband Carey Hart and their two children, Willow, 12, and Jameson (7), Pink promises a spectacular show filled with her greatest hits, aerial performances, and her trademark infectious energy.
Photo Credit: Pink/Instagram
About Pink
Born Alecia Beth Moore on 8 September 1979, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S., Pink is an American singer and songwriter renowned for her rock-influenced pop songs, powerful voice, and dynamic concerts filled with gymnastics. Raised amidst her parents’ divorce, Pink harboured dreams of becoming a singer from an early age. She began performing in Philadelphia clubs as a young teenager and later sang backup for a hip-hop band.
Eventually, she ventured into songwriting and joined the R&B band Basic Instinct before transitioning to the all-female R&B group Choice. It was during this time that she adopted the stage name P!nk, partly inspired by the character Mr. Pink from Quentin Tarantino’s film “Reservoir Dogs” (1992).
After Choice disbanded, Pink embarked on a successful solo career, releasing her debut album “Can’t Take Me Home” in 2000, followed by albums like “M!ssundaztood” (2001) and “I’m Not Dead” (2006). Her hit singles include “Get the Party Started,” “Just Give Me a Reason,” and “What About Us.” Beyond music, Pink has appeared in films, supported various causes, and served as a UNICEF ambassador.
Ticket sales opened in August 2023 but those late to the party still have a chance to grab seats. Whilst VIP packages for Brisbane’s show are already sold-out, fans can choose from general admission tickets, especially for the 19 March 2024 show, starting at $178.50, to the premium Gold Circle Standing tickets at a steeper $311.00.
Suncorp Stadium recommends arriving early to avoid last-minute rush.
Ticket holders are encouraged to utilise free public transport on Brisbane bus and train services. Special Event shuttles will also commence at 4:30 p.m. from various city and suburban hubs.
Attendees are advised to plan their journey using the TransLink website and be mindful of parking restrictions in the surrounding Lang Park Traffic Area.
Secure Parking at The Barracks on Petrie Terrace offers parking spots available from $75 on Friday and Saturday nights.
When the Beatles played their very first live gig at The Jacaranda in Liverpool in 1960 after changing their name from The Silver Beatles, before playing live virtually everyday for four years clocking up 1,400 concerts in Liverpool and around the world, who would have known that one of the awesome foursome would still be playing live 63 years later?
Sir Paul McCartney’s Got Back World Tour hits Brisbane on November 1 and you can expect he’s going to bring a mixture of his solo numbers and some of the most memorable work of The Beatles.
Did you know that Let it Be was written by Sir Paul around a dream he had about his mum, Mary, who died when he was 14 from cancer?
“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be “
Hey Jude
Sir Paul wrote “Hey Jude” in his head whilst driving his Aston Martin to see John Lennon in the English Countryside. He was concerned for John’s son, Julian, as John now had a new girlfriend, Yoko Ono, replacing his mother, Cynthia. The song started off as “Hey Jules, Don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better”.
Can’t Buy Me Love
“Can’t Buy Me Love” was written on a piano in a huge suite in the George V Hotel near the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The Beatles were in the middle of a marathon concert series in Paris, performing two, sometimes three, live gigs a day for 18 days straight.
A Grand Piano had been brought to their hotel suite and Sir Paul would tinkle the ivories as his way to wind down. A new song was never far away and he says “Money can’t buy you a happy family or friends you can trust.”
Love Me Do
“Love Me Do” was written by Paul and John when they were skipping school. It was written about Sir Paul’s girlfriend at the time, Iris Caldwell.
At the time The Beatles were playing cover songs in their gigs, mostly blues by artists like Little Richard and Ray Charles but “Love Me Do” was their first attempt to include an original song in a set list whilst playing shows in Hamburg, Germany.
It became The Beatles first single when it was released in 1963 by Parlaphone Records. It only reached #17 in the UK Charts, though it went to #1 in the US Charts in 1964 when released by a very small label called Tollie. Apparently, Capitol Records, Parlaphone’s US counterpart, refused to release it as they projected it would be a flop.
When young Paul McCartney was 11 years old, he auditioned for the Liverpool Cathedral Choir and was turned down. However, in a glimpse to why he became so great, he auditioned for another choir at St Barnabas Church, Mossley Hill, and got in.
Sir Paul’s real first name is James, named after his dad. To avoid confusion, he was known by his middle name, Paul.
Paul was offered lessons on the piano at home but said he would rather learn by ear and he did. By sheer coincidence, the piano in their home was bought from a shop owned by the parents of the man that went on to manage the Beatles, Brian Epstein.
Paul’s dad, James, played the trumpet and piano in a big band in the 1920s. For his 13th birthday, his dad gave him a trumpet; but as time went on, Paul didn’t like the fact he couldn’t sing whilst playing the trumpet so he started playing the guitar.
When he was 15, he attended a church fete in Liverpool where a band called The Quarrymen was playing, a band that included John Lennon. A few months later, Paul was invited to join The Quarrymen as lead guitarist for a gig at the New Clubmoor Hall in Norris Green, Liverpool.
Nerves and inexperience led him to make a mess of his solo in a song called “Guitar Boogie”, resulting in a young fella called George Harrison taking over as lead guitarist.
Even whilst he was with The Beatles, Paul was working on a solo career. In 1966, he wrote the soundtrack to a movie called The Family Way, which starred Hayley Mills.
His songwriting was prolific, with a singularly commercial appeal. He wrote 33 #1 US Hits.
Sir Paul McCartney performing Get Back at the Suncorp Stadium in 2017 Photo Credit: Youtube/strangedaysindeed9
Sir Paul last performed at Suncorp Stadium in December 2017, as part of his One On One world tour. That concert was completely sold out, with 40,000 fans braving the rainy weather to see the Beatles legend perform.
The 2017 Suncorp show had it all: An early The Quarrymen song with John Lennon, In Spite of All the Danger; Beatles classics like Helter Skelter and All My Loving; Wings favourites like Jet and Live and Let Die; and even newer tracks like My Valentine and FourFiveSeconds.
His set list brought nostalgia to the crowd, as he delighted Brisbane fans with a wide range of tracks from his career, including Beatles megahits Can’t Buy Me Love and Let It Be.
During the three-hour set, he was seen sometimes playing the Hofner bass that he famously played throughout his run with the Beatles and also using the acoustic guitar that he used to play Yesterday on The Ed Sullivan Show.
McCartney tweaked his set lists from night to night, consistently including fan favourites such as Hey Jude to end his main performance and The End for his encore. All-time classics shared the stage with newcomers, his latest hits intersecting with his storied past.
While there was no verbal statement, I think it speaks volumes that immediately after the encore started, Sir Paul and the band ran about the stage, each carrying gigantic flags: Australian, Aboriginal and the Rainbow taking pride of place with the British.
Beyond the music, a wordless but resonant display spoke volumes about the heart of this ageless musician. For the Brisbane crowd, it was a stirring final image.
‘Got Back’ to Brisbane in 2023
Presented by Frontier Touring, Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘Got Back’ World Tour hits Brisbane on November 1 at the Suncorp Stadium, marking his third visit to Brisbane. After his first show with Wings in Brisbane in 1975, fans had to wait 42 years (!) for him to come back for his 2017 show.
Frankly anybody who made it to his concert in 2017 would have been perfectly entitled to think that was his swansong, but at the ripe old age of 81, this extraordinary man will once more light up Suncorp Stadium.
Bringing his unbelievable stamina to the fore once again, Sir Paul’s ‘Got Back’ set list opens with Can’t Buy Me Love, a catchy song that will segue into one hit after another, as Sir Paul performs pieces from Wings such as Nineteen Hundred Eighty-five, and Let ‘Em In; many of the usual fan favourites from the Beatles playbook including Blackbird, Let It Be,Live and Let Die, and Hey Jude; and even a song from The Quarrymen days.
Yesterday doesn’t seem to be part of the ‘Got Back’ set list at all, although it figured as one of the encore songs in 2017.
To support him on this tour, Sir Paul has brought his usual band, composed of Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens on keyboards, Brian Ray on bass / guitar, Rusty Anderson on guitar, and Abe Laboriel Jr on drums.
The Matildas lost 3-1 to England in Sydney, while Sweden were beaten 2-1 by Spain. England’s victory over Australia sets up a meeting with Spain in the Final.
Kerr’s Stunner Not Enough as England End Australia’s Run
Sam Kerr scores a screamer to level the match 1-1. Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas
A sensational long-range strike from Matildas captain Sam Kerr was not enough to see Australia past England and into their first Women’s World Cup final. Kerr’s 20-metre screamer levelled the scores after England had taken a 1-0 lead in the matchup. However, goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo put England back in front as the Lionesses held on for a 3-1 victory.
The loss ended Australia’s thrilling run through the knockout stage that saw them prevail on penalties against France. Despite their disappointment, the Matildas have surely inspired the nation with their performances.
The Matildas have drawn praise for their efforts during the World Cup, overcoming adversity and captivating fans across the country. After initial concerns over Kerr’s fitness, the team rallied to escape the group stage before finding their form in the knockouts.
The support of the Australian public has been a bright spot for Kerr and her teammates. Record crowds have turned out to back the Matildas, underlining the growth of the women’s game.
Kerr Calls for Investment to Take Game to Next Level
After Australia’s semi-final defeat, Kerr stressed the need for more funding and resources to develop women’s football. She wants this World Cup to be the start of real change.
“We need funding in our development, we need funding in our grassroots… We need funding everywhere,” Kerr said.
Both Kerr and coach Tony Gustavsson emphasised that while the Matildas have made the most of their current resources, more investment is needed at the grassroots level for Australia to truly compete with the top women’s sides.
Gustavsson said: “Let’s invest more and be genuine contenders for medals and tournaments moving forward as well.”
The team hope their inspiring performances will lead to more support to take Australian women’s football to even greater heights
Kerr added that the tournament wasn’t a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity despite the home advantage. “If you bring the product to Australia, we’ll go out there and support it. And hopefully, we’ve got a few more fans that will stick around.”
The team hopes their inspiring performances will drive increased support to take Australian women’s football to even greater heights. For now, the Matildas will look to finish their tournament on a high note against Sweden.
Buoyed by a spirited home crowd at Lang Park, the Matildas etched their name into the annals of Women’s World Cup history with a nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory over France in the quarter-finals. Playing on home soil, Australia became the first host nation to reach the semi-finals since the USA in 2003.
Cortnee Vine, the winning penalty shooter. Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas
Normal time and extra time failed to produce a goal in the Brisbane Stadium clash between two formidable sides. Australia and France battled through a scoreless 90 minutes before two intense periods of extra time. Fatigue set in late on, and a shootout between the deadlocked sides seemed inevitable.
The shootout provided non-stop drama and set a record for the longest shootout in World Cup history for both men’s and women’s matches. Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made a crucial save from Selma Bacha’s opening effort to give France the early advantage. After a series of saves and misses, Australia’s 10th shooter, Cortnee Vine, slotted home the winning penalty as the home crowd went wild.
Semifinal Spot Creates Matildas Legacy
Mackenzie Arnold was awarded Player of the Match for her crucial saves in the shooutout. Photo Credit: Instagram/CommBank Matildas
The victory sends Australia through to the semi-finals for the first time ever. They’ll face classic sporting rivals England, 2-1 winners over Colombia, at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.
Beyond this milestone, Australia’s World Cup run marks a watershed moment for women’s sport in the country.
Their penalty shootout victory attracted the biggest Australian TV audience since Cathy Freeman’s Olympic gold medal in 2000. The audience was reported to be the largest for more than two decades, averaging a staggering 4.23 million viewers. These figures do not include the throngs of fans who gathered in fan parks, pubs and around big screens to cheer on the Matildas.
John Aloisi, whose penalty in 2005 sent the Socceroos to their first World Cup since 1974, remarked: “This achievement will undoubtedly inspire future generations. That’s what the girls spoke about before the tournament, that’s what they’ve been speaking about during the tournament. And they’re living this moment.”
After years of heartbreak and falling just short, this victory propels the Matildas into uncharted territory. The demons of the past have been exorcised, the bitter memories of their devastating penalty shootout exit at the Round of 16 in France 2019 now a distant memory.
In the three World Cups prior to 2019, they reached the quarter-finals without fail, but progressed no further. The quarter-finals had long acted as the glass ceiling for the Tillies. Not anymore.
After 20 years, Suncorp Stadium in Milton continues to be the premier venue in Queensland, delivering outstanding events and attracting renowned artists and athletes from around the world. The stadium is now celebrating its 20th anniversary and has announced exciting upcoming concerts for legendary rock bands Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe.
These concerts will take place on 8 November 2023 as part of their World Tour, adding to the impressive lineup of 33 concerts that the venue has hosted since its reopening in 2003.
Suncorp Stadium has become a favourite destination for world-famous musicians, with the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift have performed there. However, the local sporting teams that call the stadium their home contribute significantly to its success, making up the majority of attendees year after year.
Since its opening, Suncorp Stadium has hosted 343 rugby league games, attracting a total of 10.7 million patrons. Additionally, 219 soccer games have been held, bringing in 3.1 million patrons, while 177 rugby union games have attracted 4.5 million patrons.
Among the local teams, the Brisbane Broncos hold the record for the most games played at Suncorp Stadium, with 128 matches and a total of 4.2 million patrons. The newest tenants, the Dolphins, have already drawn in 156,000 patrons over five games.
Photo Credit: Google Maps street view
In terms of concerts, the stadium has entertained 1.3 million patrons through 33 shows. Notably, in 2013, the venue achieved a world record for the largest orchestra with over 7,000 musicians performing at the stadium.
This year has seen several major events at Suncorp Stadium, including Ed Sheeran’s performances over three nights, which attracted over 173,000 patrons. During the Saturday night show, a ground attendance record of 58,439 was set, showcasing the stadium’s capacity to accommodate large crowds.
Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe commented on the stadium’s achievement, stating, “For Suncorp to have more than 20 million fans file through the gates over those 20 years is a true testament to the stadium’s ability to continually attract the biggest acts and events from around the globe.” Hinchliffe also highlighted the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, scheduled to take place at Suncorp Stadium in July, and expressed hope that the stadium would be the site of victory for the Maroons as they seek to win another Origin series on June 21st.
Stadiums Queensland Chief Executive Todd Harris emphasized the versatility of Suncorp Stadium, praising its ability to host a wide range of events, from extreme sports to football to live music.
Alan Graham, Suncorp Stadium General Manager, reflected on the venue’s remarkable history, mentioning the thrill of being part of eight consecutive Maroons series wins and highlighting notable international events such as the visits of renowned musicians and prestigious football clubs like Liverpool, Leeds, and Aston Villa.
As Suncorp Stadium celebrates its 20th anniversary, it remains the go-to destination for thrilling sporting events, record-breaking concerts, and unforgettable experiences. The stadium’s legacy continues to grow, solidifying its position as a world-class venue.
Brisbane’s former Children’s Court site is set to undergo a stunning transformation with the unveiling of plans for a 32-storey unit tower between Roma Street Station and Suncorp Stadium in Milton.
The development has been selected as the State Government’s third pilot build-to-rent project. The tower will feature 475 apartments, with up to 250 units offering government-subsidized rent.
Treasurer Cameron Dick announced Cedar Pacific as the chosen developer in February 2023, and construction is expected to commence later this year, with residents moving in by 2027.
Photo Credit: DA A006266134
Photo Credit: DA A006266134
On Friday 5 May 2023, Cedar Pacific submitted plans to the Brisbane City Council for the demolition of the old court building and the construction of the new tower through DA A006266134.
The tower’s design includes a landscaped rooftop, communal multipurpose areas, a co-working space, cinema, games room, gym, pool, barbecue area, and outdoor open space.
Photo Credit: DA A006266134
Additionally, a pedestrian arcade will be created on the western boundary to facilitate access between the two street frontages, both of which will have landscaped areas and a welcoming atmosphere. A food and drink outlet will also be located on the higher Quay Street level.
Photo Credit: DA A006266134
The majority of the units will consist of one-bedroom apartments, with 75 studio apartments, 125 two-bedroom dwellings, and 25 three-bedroom units also included. Each apartment will have a balcony.
Vehicle access will be available from Quay Street, and the development will provide 234 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and bicycle spaces, due to its central location and the expected preferences of its tenants.
Although the tower exceeds the 20-storey limit outlined in the City Centre neighborhood plan, Cedar Pacific has reduced the height from the initial plan of 37 storeys. The surrounding developments on either side of the tower also exceed the height limit, positioning the Cedar Pacific building as a transitional element between the higher and lower towers.
According to the plans, the existing building on the site is disused and visually unappealing, offering a poor-quality streetscape and lacking pedestrian connectivity. The proposed development aims to revitalize the site by constructing a landmark building with an accessible ground floor. This transformation is seen as a significant and positive contribution to the city’s entrance.
Suncorp Stadium’s ASM Global CEO Harvey Lister has called for the conversion of Brisbane’s inner-city Defence base, Victoria Barracks at Petrie Terrace, into a vibrant heritage precinct.
During a recent Committee for Brisbane forum, Lister argued that the site should not be dominated by high-rise apartments but rather follow the heritage revival of The Barracks and cater to community needs.
Mr Lister suggested that the redevelopment of Brisbane’s railway station at Roma Street provided an opportunity for authorities to revisit a dedicated walkway to Caxton Street. Lister also said that Suncorp Stadium in Milton should always have included a bridge across Countess Street from Roma Street and past or through Victoria Barracks.
“Every time we have an event at Suncorp Stadium, we have to provide a barricade, take out one lane of Roma Street for people to be able to walk along that fairly narrow footpath,” Mr Lister said in an interview.
He described the massive foot traffic in these areas and said that there have been options to solve this with footbrige but there are “complexities” to the execution.
“The pathway to Suncorp Stadium was always in the plans but unfortunately it couldn’t be delivered at that time the stadium was developed. It was always intended it would be developed at a future stage,” added Mr Lister.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles recently indicated that better pedestrian and transport connections would be incorporated into the precinct. However, Queensland Walks executive officer Anna Campbell shocked delegates when she revealed that 6,500 Brisbane streets did not have a footpath, with 4,000 of them without a footpath on either side.
Council’s opposition leader Cr Jared Cassidy called for funds for footpaths to increase in the 2023-24 council budget, saying that providing footpaths is basic for any local government.
Australian planning firm Architectus is one of several companies with images of how Victoria Barracks on Petrie Terrace could be blended in with Roma Street Parklands over Countess Street. The forum also heard calls to make areas of Brisbane more accessible before looking to work required for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The NRL’s Magic Round in Brisbane has officially sold out, and a record-breaking attendance of 150,000 people is anticipated for the three-day football extravaganza at the Suncorp Stadium in Milton.
The Queensland power brokers who are now trying to keep the event in Brisbane over the long term see this news as a huge victory. Additionally, the event is anticipated to enhance the state’s economy by close to $30 million, which will significantly benefit local businesses.
Fans trooped to Caxton St near Suncorp Stadium, where the opening-night NRL double-header took place. The first match saw the Canberra Raiders take on Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, followed by the Brisbane Broncos playing away from home against the Manly Sea Eagles.
On Saturday, three matches will be played, while the final three matches will be played on Sunday, including a derby clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans. Legendary coach Wayne Bennett will mark his 900th NRL match at the helm of the newest Queensland team, the Dolphins.
Businesses along the Caxton St precinct are already feeling the buzz of the event. The Caxton Hotel manager, Georgie Hull, confirmed that they had to have extra deliveries of beer for Friday, and Thursday had been a massive day of getting all the bars ready.
Translink is offering free travel and extra services to footy fans over the weekend, encouraging them to opt for public transport as the safest and easiest way of travel. Dedicated shuttle buses will run to Suncorp Stadium from various parts of Brisbane, including Ann St, Carindale, Chermside, Eight Mile Plains/Garden City, and The Gap, looping back at the end of each game. Additional trains will also run after each game.
Translink official Sally Stannard stated that with limited parking around Suncorp Stadium, it is recommended that patrons leave their cars at home and catch public transport.
